Gerrit Cole threw 4 1/3 innings in his first minor league rehab appearance Friday night for Double-A Somerset. The New York Yankees ace, recovering from Tommy John surgery, allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out three. Yankees manager Aaron Boone emphasized a cautious approach to Cole's recovery.
NEW YORK -- Gerrit Cole took the mound for Double-A Somerset on Friday night, marking his first minor league rehab start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2025. Facing the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A affiliate Reading, Cole permitted three runs on three hits and one walk. He struck out three batters over 4 1/3 innings, throwing 44 pitches with 36 strikes. Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe also participated in the game for Somerset as part of his own rehab work. Volpe went 1-for-3 on Thursday and was scheduled for additional games Friday and Sunday before moving to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone noted before the game, “It’s one step at a time. Even when he gets back to us [in the Majors], we’ll probably be conservative with him.” Cole had a successful side session at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, paving the way for this outing. The 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner is projected to rejoin the Yankees rotation in late May or early June. Earlier, Cole made two brief Spring Training appearances: one inning against the Red Sox on March 18 and 1 2/3 innings versus the Cubs on March 24. “I have no complaints,” Cole said Monday. “The stamina was good. The pitches are fine right now. They’re good. I’m a little nitpicky, but everything is good.” Meanwhile, Carlos Rodón is set for a live batting-practice session with Somerset on Saturday, his last step before a minor league rehab assignment. Boone indicated Rodón may need three minor league starts, factoring in a recent right hamstring issue.
